Milwaukee ranked as one of the best cities for college students and graduates By: Allie Shane, Communications Specialist ![]() College and the years that follow is an exciting yet stressful period for young adults. Not only do students face the decision of picking a school that is affordable and offers their desired programs, but they must also consider the location of the school and the opportunities that the location provides during instruction and following graduation. Milwaukee’s business community is fueled in large part by the talent of students and graduates of nearby schools. This makes the city an attractive option for prospective students and young professionals. In fact, Forbes ranked Milwaukee fifth on a list of the best cities for college students and graduates in 2024. This ranking is based on a variety of factors including the cost of housing, transportation and food, as well as the quality and proximity of educational institutions. By: Hailey Pitcher, MMAC Communications Intern ![]() The MMAC Town Hall series presents MMAC members and newsmakers with the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversation. This month we would like to spotlight Congresswoman Gwen Moore. MMAC will provide future participants with the opportunity to take part in similar Q&As. MMAC is a nonpartisan, nonpolitical organization. The following has been edited for length. Q: In April, President Joe Biden announced Milwaukee will be one of the newest Investing in America Workforce Hubs, expanding access to jobs in the area through federal funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure bill. How do you see this hub transforming the Milwaukee economy? When can we expect to see training begin for workers in this area? A: All investments made in federal legislation enacted over the past four years, including the Bipartisan Infrastructure law and the Inflation Reduction Act, are critical to Milwaukee’s success. A long-time priority of mine has been ensuring that our area is ready and able to take advantage of those investments – including clean energy investments, construction and infrastructure. But perhaps most pressing is our need to address the clear danger presented by lead pipes. I want every child – no matter their zip code – to grow up in a healthy, safe environment. Both the Bipartisan Infrastructure law and Inflation Reduction Act include dedicated funding for lead pipe removal and provisions to help impacted communities benefit not only from lead pipe removal, but from the jobs created.
By: Hailey Pitcher, MMAC Communications Intern
Last week The Bartolotta Restaurants opened The Commodore in the heart of Lake Country. Developed on a historic 122-year-old property, this restaurant and event destination overlooks Nagawicka Lake. Guests can enjoy fine dining and hospitality while soaking up the wonderful lake views. “We are excited to unveil this two-year project and bring this iconic property back to life,” said Bartolotta Restaurants owner and co-founder Chef Paul Bartolotta.
By: Allie Shane, Communications Specialist Wisconsin-based DesignsTouch, a full-service creative digital and IT solutions provider, was recently named by UpCity as a 2024 National Excellence Award winner. ![]() “Receiving the UpCity 2024 National Excellence Award is a tremendous honor for our team. It validates our hard work and dedication to ensuring our clients receive the best possible service. This award highlights our commitment to excellence and motivates us to continue pushing the boundaries in digital innovation,” said DesignsTouch CEO Nim Joshi. Remembering track athlete, George Coleman Poage By: Allie Shane, Communications Specialist ![]() With the 2024 Paris Olympic Games underway, individuals from around the globe are tuning in to watch the world’s most talented athletes compete for a chance at taking home a medal. From breaking records to fighting for equal representation, the Olympic Games have a long and complex history. 1904 was a monumental year for the franchise. Not only was this the first Olympic Games hosted by the United States, but it was the year Wisconsin resident George Coleman Poage became the first African American to receive an Olympic medal. Poage did not immediately receive the recognition that he deserved. In fact, it was not until around 30 years after Poage passed away that his achievements were properly recognized. MMAC sponsored Poage’s induction into the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998. The city of Lacrosse has also dedicated a sculpture and local park in celebration of Poage’s achievements.
A veteran that continues to serve others By: Allie Shane, Communications Specialist Last month, over 500,000 people flocked to Milwaukee’s lakefront to enjoy Summerfest, a world-renowned music festival. However, MMAC executive assistant Angel Ramirez did not attend to listen to the musicians, instead she dedicated her time to working the Veterans Community Project (VCP) fundraising table. ![]() Founded by a group of combat veterans in 2016, this nonprofit organization provides homeless veterans, regardless of discharge status, with housing and resources intended to set them up for success. Using Kansas City, Missouri as the model, the VCP founders created two solutions to help stop veteran homelessness. The first are VCP Villages. These communities of tiny homes serve as a comfortable and safe transition from homelessness to permanent housing. VCP also runs an outreach center. The center provides veterans with a variety of services such as financial counseling, clothing resources, assistance with VA benefits and employment support. Baldwin meets with MMAC board members for Q&A
“I think we first should reflect on the lifetime of commitment to this country,” Baldwin said of President Joe Biden, ticking off legislation he had a hand in as a U.S. senator, vice president and then president. “I think what he did (Sunday) was extremely patriotic.”
Ambrosia Events founder and owner shares his story By Hailey Pitcher, MMAC Communications Intern
Sen. Ron Johnson showcases successes of Joseph Project ![]() With few exceptions, downtown Milwaukee was all politics last week during the Republican National Convention. One of those exceptions was a panel discussion held at the MMAC offices by Sen. Ron Johnson. Johnson’s event featured alumni of the Joseph Project – a faith-based jobs initiative started as a constituent service by Johnson in which participants take part in a week-long life skills training program and then offered the opportunity to interview with companies looking to hire. As a manufacturer, Johnson said his sector is in dire need of talent. MMAC, M7 and others promote SE Wis. to visiting ambassadors ![]() Baseball may be the great American pastime, but the diamond at American Family Field had a true international feel Tuesday morning. M7, MMAC, the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) and gener8tor hosted dozens of ambassadors from around the globe, along with corporate leaders from around the region, for breakfast and a program focused on the benefits of corporate investment in southeastern Wisconsin. While the state is proud of its history of agriculture and continued strength in the sector, preconceived notions of Wisconsin as a vast farm field were quickly dispelled.
Milwaukee-Based Empathic Engineering Revolutionizes Workplace Communication By: Allie Shane, Communications Specialist
![]() Remaining true to its commitment to “build for communities, with communities,” Wauwatosa-based Wangard Partners’ creation and management of Class-A multifamily properties received well-deserved recognition in the National Apartment Association Rankings. Each year, the National Apartment Association highlights trends and performance in the multifamily real estate industry. Wangard Partners sets itself apart by delivering innovative ideas, quality work and customer satisfaction, earning the firm a finalist position in this year’s rankings. CodeBaby Avatars Bring a Unique Twist to the Ongoing AI Conversation ![]() CodeBaby, a Milwaukee-based producer of AI-powered virtual assistants, is transforming the way humans interact with technology. Rooted in human connection and personalization, CodeBaby creates virtual solutions that integrate into a client’s website with just one line of code. CodeBaby: An Overview The creation of CodeBaby’s advanced solutions is marked by many years of dedication to the idea that genuine conversation is achievable between humans and virtual assistants. In 2012, CEO and founder Norrie Daroga partnered with Mark Stephen Meadows, the author of “I, Avatar” to explore the capabilities of virtual service avatars. The two gained access to IBM Watson in 2015 and started Idavatars, becoming one of the first 100 companies to commercialize IBM’s platform. Idavatars produced virtual health assistants. In 2016, Idavatars acquired CodeBaby, a company founded by two Canadian doctors looking to create animated training courses and materials. Merging the two companies allowed Daroga to utilize the proprietary tools from CodeBaby and apply them to Idavatar’s platform.
Following an afternoon visit to Humboldt Park Public School, it’s clear that there’s no shortage of activities to participate in during recess. Whether it’s basketball, soccer, four square or this creative octopus game, Playworks staff members ensure that recess is a time reserved for safe physical activity, socialization, laughter, and most importantly: play.
Playworks Wisconsin: An Overview Playworks was founded in 1996 in Oakland, California and expanded its operations to Wisconsin in 2012. The nonprofit organization seeks to improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play. By Hailey Pitcher, MMAC Communications Intern
Jaime Hurtado emigrated from Lima, Peru, at age 16 and finished English classes within six weeks before starting college. He now owns a contracting company, but arrived with no experience in construction, instead learning on the job.
Sec. of Commerce provides forum for area business leaders U.S. Sec. of the Commerce Gina Raimondo joined about a dozen area business leaders, as well as Gov. Tony Evers, on Friday to get their input on things going well, and also the challenges they’re facing.
“I’ve been making an effort to get around the country, to do exactly this,” she said during the hour-long event held at Northwestern Mutual and hosted by President Tim Gerand. “To visit communities and find out what is going well, and where we can do better.” Raimondo said everything she does as secretary is to “improve the competitiveness of the U.S., improve our ability to compete and, frankly, outcompete the rest of the world.” |